Talk about it

For many people who struggle with depression or related illnesses, discussing their situation with others poses a great challenge.

When is it a good idea to talk to someone about your illness? How do you begin the conversation? From talking with your doctor to sharing with a friend or coworker, helping you tackle these issues is the objective of this section of the website.

To begin with, here are a few important questions to ask yourself:

Who, if anyone, needs to know your story?

When is it a good idea to reveal details about your situation? When does it make sense to keep information to yourself?

How much information is too much to share?

If and when you do decide to share with someone, exactly how do you go about it?

There are no easy or “right” answers to these questions. Each individual’s situation will lead to a different course of action. You will probably formulate a different strategy for communicating in different circumstances. The information that follows has been compiled to help you give careful and thoughtful consideration to when and how you might share with: